Time To Change City's Leadership

OPINION - OUR VIEWS

A Flap In Clermont Over A Municipal Marina Points To The Need For Change On The Council.

September 21, 1997

It's election time in Clermont, an area alive with change.

A new branch college campus, a new hospital, a national headquarters for triathlons, trails for hiking and biking, Olympic-level track training are but a few of the things happening in Clermont.

As exciting as these developments are, voters should realize that growth alone is no guarantee of success. Growth must be shaped to benefit all residents, not simply the wealthy few.

Whatever happens to the Clermont City Council, its first priority is clear: City leaders must make sure that the pristine Clermont chain of lakes does not lose its natural luster. Dirty lakes are bad for people and bad for business.

The Clermont lakes offer some of the best outdoor recreation available in Central Florida. The value of this resource is directly related to the pure quality of the water.

Unfortunately, the Sept. 30 City Council race does not offer a vigorous array of candidates with the knowledge, or will, to guide growth in a responsible manner.

There are, however, two who stand out - Jim Brown and Lawson ''Speedy'' Wolfe.

The two incumbents have problems. Jack Sargent of seat 4 and Ann Dupee of seat 2 both demonstrated appalling arrogance during the recent flap over building a municipal marina.

Instead of publicly airing the proposal, they quietly negotiated with a builder to install a large marina on Lake Minneola. Such a marina, poorly done, could have been an environmental disaster.

It only was under intense public pressure that the two incumbents later reversed themselves and asked residents for their comments.

It would be wrong to deny Mrs. Dupee's accomplishments. She deserves credit for 10 successful years on the council, where she helped make Clermont known for efficiency and good planning. She also helped to create a good water and utility system, has been heavily honored for civic involvement and has represented the city on numerous boards and agencies.

Still, the marina incident was an outrageous lapse of judgment that nearly tore the city in two. It's time for a change in both seats.

Jim Brown for Seat 4

Mr. Sargent is being challenged by developer Bob Wade and planning and zoning veteran Jim Brown.

Mr. Brown is the clear standout in this race.

First, he has been on the planning and zoning committee for nine years. He understands growth is the city's main issue and was one of the first to object to the marina plans.

Mr. Brown has some laudable goals. For example, he believes the city should:

Develop more expertise in the art of annexation, so that the city is able to serve residents and maintain the quality of life.

Distribute city services and resources more fairly to all neighborhoods.

Work with educators to find suitable sites for new schools.

Mr. Brown, an X-ray technician who formerly taught in his field at Yale Hospital in New Haven, Conn., returned to his boyhood town of Clermont after serving in the Korean War and building a career in New York and Connecticut.

His background, plus nine years of experience on the Clermont Planning and Zoning Board, make him a strong candidate for City Council.

Mr. Wade would be a poor choice to replace Mr. Sargent. He offers few ideas for preserving the best of the city and expanding development in a healthy way. He also faces a large fine for illegally destroying a stand of oaks trees. He is ill-suited for a seat on the City Council of a lakefront town where a clean environment could spell the difference between economic success and failure.

Lawson Wolfe for Seat 2

Lawson ''Speedy'' Wolfe, Mrs. Dupee's challenger, is no newcomer to Clermont. He grew up in the city and inherited his father's building supply business.

His experience primarily is business-related. He has served as president of the city's chamber of commerce, and as a member of Lake County's tourist board, among other business groups. He also has a master's degree in business administration.

Mr. Wolfe's background would bring a businessman's love for accountability to the council. For a city on the brink of an explosion, accountability is key.

Mr. Wolfe also has strong ideas about improving the city. For example, he would:

Encourage more public participation in city meetings and workshops.

Set up a full-time parks and recreation office and make recreation a higher priority.

Conduct a study of the Fire Department to learn how to best support it in the face of rapid residential growth.

Finally, and perhaps most important, Mr. Wolfe shares with Mr. Brown a concern for equal distribution of city services to all residents, regardless of income. He wants to see a good park in the Lincoln Park area, with better police protection and more participation from the community.

He also says minority neighborhoods must receive equal code enforcement and removal of dangerous eyesores.